2020 Blazer LT3 3.6L FWD / Need Upgraded Towing Capacity

[rjdjbd]

Hello;

My son has a 2020 Blazer LT3 with the 3.6L V6 engine and it’s FWD. It does not have the factory tow package V92, so it only has a towing capacity of 1,500 lbs. At a Chevrolet dealer website, it states the following towing maximums: 308-hp 3.6L V6 w/ FWD: 4,500 pounds / 308-hp 3.6L V6 w/ AWD: 4,500 pounds. To get to that capacity, you must have the V92 Towing Package, which includes the lower bumper panel, the wiring and hitch receiver - but not the actual ball and receiver insert. It also indicates that you have an oil cooler and a Heavy Duty radiator to handle the additional torque heat that towing puts on the engine. An engine oil cooler and transmission cooler could be easily added, I believe. Can anyone verify the difference in fluid capacity between the ‘standard’ radiator and the HD radiator? I’m looking for help in upgrading the towing capacity of his 1,500 lb. capacity to 4,500 lb. capacity.

Thank-you very much for any input.
Richard

Edited June 3, 2024 by rjdjbd

[rjdjbd]

[garagerog]

On 6/3/2024 at 6:28 PM, rjdjbd said:

Hello;

My son has a 2020 Blazer LT3 with the 3.6L V6 engine and it’s FWD. It does not have the factory tow package V92, so it only has a towing capacity of 1,500 lbs. At a Chevrolet dealer website, it states the following towing maximums: 308-hp 3.6L V6 w/ FWD: 4,500 pounds / 308-hp 3.6L V6 w/ AWD: 4,500 pounds. To get to that capacity, you must have the V92 Towing Package, which includes the lower bumper panel, the wiring and hitch receiver - but not the actual ball and receiver insert. It also indicates that you have an oil cooler and a Heavy Duty radiator to handle the additional torque heat that towing puts on the engine. An engine oil cooler and transmission cooler could be easily added, I believe. Can anyone verify the difference in fluid capacity between the ‘standard’ radiator and the HD radiator? I’m looking for help in upgrading the towing capacity of his 1,500 lb. capacity to 4,500 lb. capacity.

Thank-you very much for any input.
Richard

I ordered the wife's 2024 3LT with the 3.6 and the factory tow package mainly for the heavy duty cooling, if I need to tow anything I would use my 1/2 ton Silverado.  Chevrolet seems to like to keep what's included in the heavy duty cooling a bit of a mystery, but by researching part numbers I along with others have concluded that the radiator is the same with or w/o heavy duty cooling but the heavy duty cooling does use a significantly larger fan. I wouldn't be surprised if the PCM isn't programmed to turn on the fan at a little lower coolant temp., just my speculation, not fact.  With the towing package you also get a transmission tow/haul mode which when engaged increases line pressure to hold a lower gear longer. Without the tow/haul mode I would suggest your son use the sport mode or manually limit a lower gear when encountering hilly or mountainous terrain. Apparently the owners of the Blazers with the 2.0T even with the factory towing package don't have the tow/haul mode, I've answered a couple of them with this concern on the Blazer forum with my speculation that since turbo motors have a relatively flat torque curve that Chevrolet deems the tow/haul mode redundant for this motor. Hope this helps.

[newdude]

On 6/3/2024 at 6:28 PM, rjdjbd said:

Hello;

My son has a 2020 Blazer LT3 with the 3.6L V6 engine and it’s FWD. It does not have the factory tow package V92, so it only has a towing capacity of 1,500 lbs. At a Chevrolet dealer website, it states the following towing maximums: 308-hp 3.6L V6 w/ FWD: 4,500 pounds / 308-hp 3.6L V6 w/ AWD: 4,500 pounds. To get to that capacity, you must have the V92 Towing Package, which includes the lower bumper panel, the wiring and hitch receiver - but not the actual ball and receiver insert. It also indicates that you have an oil cooler and a Heavy Duty radiator to handle the additional torque heat that towing puts on the engine. An engine oil cooler and transmission cooler could be easily added, I believe. Can anyone verify the difference in fluid capacity between the ‘standard’ radiator and the HD radiator? I’m looking for help in upgrading the towing capacity of his 1,500 lb. capacity to 4,500 lb. capacity.

Thank-you very much for any input.
Richard

 

 

There is nothing you can do except trade it for one that has V92.  

[garagerog]

Thought I'd better update what I've gleaned over the last several months about the RPO V92 towing option on the 3.6 Blazers as related to HD cooling. In addition to larger electric fan blades there is an auxiliary trans cooler located in the "chin" of the grill below the radiator and a/c condenser with it's own dedicated air flow. Also an oil cooler unlike any I've ever seen, coolant is T'd off the lower radiator hose and routed thru a small heat ex-changer with oil apparently entering and exiting from some gallery in the block.